Journal of Intellectual Disability - Diagnosis and Treatment, 2021, 9, 651-666 651 E-ISSN: 2292-2598/21 © 2021 Lifescience Global Socio-Psychological Criteria of the Formation of Gender Stereotypes of Appearance Oksana M. Shyian 1,* , Larysa F. Foster 2 , Tatiana M. Kuzmenko 2 , Larysa V. Yeremenko 3 and Nina P. Liesnichenko 4 1 Department of Social and Political Disciplines, European University, Kyiv, Ukraine 2 Department of Social Structures and Social Relations, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine 3 Department of Social Sciences and Humanities, Dmytro Motornyi Tavria State Agrotechnological University, Melitopol, Ukraine 4 Department of Practical Psychology, H.S. Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University, Kharkiv, Ukraine Abstract: The article considers the socio-psychological criteria for the formation of gender stereotypes of appearance. The priority of the study is implementing a system of criteria for gender stereotypes of appearance, taking into account the system of socio-psychological factors and gender-oriented forms of prevention of overcoming sexism and discrimination on the grounds of personality attractiveness. It is substantiated that social evaluation through physical criteria creates several psychological problems because the "physical self" is an essential component of the "self- concept" and one of the criteria of self-esteem. It is proved that the properties of gender stereotypes coincide with the social ones. They are the bearer of emotional and evaluative characteristics, taking into account the group of values associated with the ambivalence of ideas about another. A methodical approach to the assessment of gender stereotypes of appearance and personality is proposed, which allows determining the criteria of human well-being, taking into account discrimination factors, intrapersonal parameters of affective-negative perception of one's appearance and self-concept, as well as the aesthetic perception of identity. An assessment of socio-psychological factors of gender stereotypes of appearance, which is based on the methodological provisions of psychoanalysis and humanism, cognitive paradigm, dispositional theory, cross-cultural approach, and some sociological studies, is carried out. As an experiment on empirical verification of the stereotypes of appearance, their gender differences, and socio-psychological factors, a set of methods of psychological diagnosis is used, which allow determining indicators of stereotypes of appearance, self- esteem, and attitude to beauty; socio-psychological criteria for the formation of gender stereotypes of appearance. A methodology for assessing the criteria for improving the attitude of respondents to their own appearance by determining the level of self-esteem, satisfaction with appearance, awareness of gender differences in appearance, and the desire to improve their own appearance in case of discrimination has been developed and implemented. Keywords: Discrimination, sexism, standards of attractiveness and beauty, interpersonal relationships, aesthetic perception. INTRODUCTION The system of socio-psychological criteria of gender stereotypes, which determine a wide range of psychological issues and motivate the individual to seek relevant form and content of care, is manifested in unbalanced mental contradictions at the emotional, cognitive and behavioral levels of self-regulation. The interaction of the main levels of activity of the individual and the psychological dynamics of this process leads to the solution of psychological problems associated with personal development, which lies in the double contradiction of human psychology at the intra- and inter-psychic levels. At the same time, inter-psychic differences are due to the inconsistency of the individual's subjective mental resources to assess his *Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Social and Political Disciplines, European University, 03115, 16B Academician Vernadskyi Blvd., Kyiv, Ukraine; Tel: +38 044 334 5304; E-mail: shyian7745@zuricheth.eu own standards of appearance, and intra-psychic – to the contradiction between the imposed standards and his own vision of external beauty, which is determined by different intentions. This created a situation of a discrepancy between the declarations of standards and personal (individual) ideas about beauty, the inability to realize his own attractiveness and natural beauty, and the desire to meet social norms of appearance at the level of perception and imposed means of the media. This phenomenon often leads to worsening people's mental health state, which is why it is essential to study socio-psychological criteria of the formation of gender stereotypes of appearance. The problem of gender stereotypes, their content, functions, and features of influence on the development of personality are presented in psychoanalysis, classical psychological concepts, in socio-constructive areas of research E.M. Adamitis [1], G.R. Adams [2], T. Nelson [3], J. Ayto [4], J. Bailey, V. Steeves and J. For Author's Personal Use